PINEVILLE, La. – Sept. 1, 2020 – As of 11 a.m. today, power had been restored to over 47 percent of Rapides and Grant parish customers affected by Hurricane Laura.

 

“As the strongest hurricane to strike the state since 1856, Cleco’s system experienced extensive damage, including damage to every distribution and transmission substation that serve these two parishes, and too many broken poles and miles of downed wire to accurately report at this time,” said James Lass, director of distribution operations and emergency management. “The damage is so extensive that some infrastructure needs to be completely rebuilt.” 

 

Transmission lines carry electricity generated by power plants to main distribution power lines that then feed into communities.

  

“In this two parish area, we have over 1,300 personnel working on the power lines, clearing debris and trimming trees, plus additional behind-the-scenes resources which, to date, is the second largest number of resources we’ve brought in for a storm, second only to Hurricane Katrina,” said Lass.  

 

Across Rapides and Grant parishes, it could take weeks for customers to get their electricity back.  The company is offering the most up-to-date restoration information on their Facebook page @ClecoPower and website cleco.com.  

 

“We appreciate the support our customers are showing our Cleco crews and those crews assisting us from over 16 states,” said Lass.  “While we welcome the support of customers, we do want to remind customers to practice social distancing and not stop crews because it is unsafe and slows power restoration work.”